India and Sri Lanka: special summer edition

Early morning arrival in Chennai (Madras) airport. Transfer to Mahabalipuram in the hotel for some rest. Later visit Dakshinachitra, a centre for the living traditions of arts, crafts and architectures of South India. Two hours guided tour visiting all the heritage houses exploring their nooks and corners. Possibility of direct experience of arts and crafts. Return to Mahabalipuram.
Overnight in Mahabalipuram (B).

After breakfast full day for the discovery Mahabalipuram. Mamallapuram dates back to the Tamil Pallava dynasty in the 7th-9th century. The structures here, mostly carved straight out of granite, are among the oldest existing examples of Dravidian (South Indian) architecture. In the morning you will have a guided visit of sea Shore temple, five rathas and Thirukadalmallai temple. The Shore temple is the oldest structure in the area, build c. 700 AD. However, unlike Mamallapuram’s other monuments, the Shore Temple is a building (not carved from rock) and the bulk of the current structure is a reconstruction after it was struck by a cyclone. After lunch transfer to Pondicherry. Rest in the hotel and evening walk around the city.
Overnight in Pondicherry. (B)

With its seafront promenade, wide boul­evards, enduring pockets of French culture and architecture, and a popular ashram, Puducherry, the original name of the city, is unlike anywhere else in South India. Remains of French connection make this place distinct from other places in India. The former French colony was settled in the early 18th century as a colonial enclave and it retains a mildly Gallic air superimposed on a typical Indian background. Pondicherry is enriched with its architectural marvel and cultural wealth. Today a guided tour will allow you to discover the main tourist attractions. You will visit Sri Aurobindo Ashram, where Sri Aurobindo and the Mother spent their time for the upliftment of society, the Church of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Bharti and Bharthidasan Memorial museum. In its credit it has the birth-place of Subramanya Bharathy, the great Tamil poet and also the birth place of world famous film director M. Night Shyamalan. Later you will have free time to explore the city, beaches and promenade. You might walk along the seashore, which is always clean, charming and amazing with its beauty.
Overnight in Pondicherry. (B)

Early morning transfer to Auroville. During the day you will have an introduction to life in Auroville, exploring a variety of sites and the soul of Auroville – Matrimandir. Lunch at visitor centre. After you will visit another project, a women’s empowerment initiative called WELL paper (Women’s Empowerment through Local Livelihood). The project was initiated in 2005 in South India as a tsunami relief effort, to provide alternative livelihood to affected families from the local areas. It gradually developed into a social enterprise model for women from neighbouring villages of Auroville and Pondicherry. The two main goals of WELL Paper are to provide self-empowerment and livelihood for women and to develop and promote products made of recycled materials. In the afternoon, transfer to Chidambaram (2 hrs). Here you will visit the Chidambaram temple for the puja aarti. Transfer to Kumbakonam (1,5 hrs), known as the “temple city” or “the city of temples” given the number of temples that have been built aroung the city. Check in at the hotel. Overnight stay in Kumbakonam (B, L).

After breakfast, visit the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple. The temple dates back to the Chola period. The name literally means “the city of the Cholas who defeated the Gangas”. Gangaikonda Cholapuram is part of the UNESCO world heritage site. After visit to Dharasuram village. The village, located 3 km from Kumbakonam, is known for the Airavateswara temple built by Rajaraja Chola II in the XII century b.C. and it’s a symbol of the Chola architectural style supremacy. The temple is a monument recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage. Airavat is the sacred white elephant and the temple is dedicated to the Lord of Airavat. Overnight stay in Kumbakonam (B,D).

Early morning departure to Madurai. On the way visit to Brihadishvara Temple in Thanjavur. Thanjavur, otherwise known as Tanjore, is a city of Chola rulers and it gained popularity during the Chola period between 11th and 14th centuries. According to a local legend, Thanjavur derives its name from Tanjan, an asura ruler, who was killed by Lord Vishnu and Sri Anandavalli Amman for devastating the neighbourhood and was granted his last request that the city be named after him. The Great Chola emperor Raja Raja Chola built this famous Brahadeshwara temple or the Big Temple. This temple showcases the Indian architectural brilliance and is a favourite pilgrimage spot for many visitors visiting Tanjore. After lunch transfer to Madurai.
Overnight in Madurai. (B)

In the morning, flight from Madurai to Colombo, then overland transfer to Kandy (about 3.20 hrs), whose kingdom has been resisting for more than 300 years to the european occupation (from XVI century till 1815) after the surrender of the city along the coast. Kandy is located on a plateau surrounded by mountains which are home to tea plantations and a rainforest rich in biodiversity. The heart of the city is the scenic Kandy Lake, or Bogambara Lake, which is ideal for strolling. In the afternoon, free time to take a walk and discover the city. Check in at the hotel for rest. Overnight stay in Kandy (B).

After Breakfast, visit the elephant orphanage in Pinnawala. This centre is home for more than 80 elephants, this is the place where you can see the little ones being fed artificially and the adults walking side by side playing in the river. You can help bathe the elephants and feed these wonderful animals It was built for babies orphaned elephants. In the afternoon, Visit the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple.
Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight stay.
Overnight in Kandy (B, D)

After breakfast transfer to Dambulla (about two hours and half), on the way stop at the cocoa and spices cultivations in Matale, to discover the working process they undergo. Visit at the organic garden of a cocoa’s farmer to discover the cultivation techniques of this tree. Traditional lunch by the local community. After lunch transfer to Dambulla. Check into the hotel and relax by the pool or indulge in the SPA services.
Overnight in Dambulla (B, L, D).

After breakfast, visit the Dambulla cave complex, where there are 5 caves carved into a 150m high rock with wall paintings of the life of Buddha. Transfer to Sigiriya. Visit to the Sigiriya fortress, dating back to the Mesolithic, with more than 5,000 years. The ascent of this ancient fortress, also known as Lion Rock, features frescoes and graffiti. After the visit, transfer to Nilaveli beach (2.5 hrs). The beach is made of fine and dusty white coral sand. The long stretch of beach starts from the hamlet of Uppuveli, just north of Trincomalee and continues through Nilaveli to Kuchchaveli after which the jungles of the north of the island take over. Facing the calm waters of the Indian Ocean, Nilaveli is a coastal tourist resort located about 20 km north-west of Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Nilaveli offers its tourists palm trees that sway over the golden sand, and has been considered one of the best beaches in Sri Lanka, inviting you to spend your days basking in the sun, including snorkeling, diving, fishing and enjoying life. Check in hotel and relax on the beach. Overnight stay in Nilaveli (B,D).

You will spend these days of rest on the beach or snorkelling. Visit to the beautiful Pigeon Island. Pigeon island National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s two marine national parks. The national park is located 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal city in the eastern province. The name of the island derives from the rock pidgeon which colonized it The National Park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs in Sri Lanka. Pigeon island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963. In 2003, it was renamed as a national park. This national park is the seventeenth in Sri Lanka. The island was used as a shooting range during the colonial period. Pigeon island is one of several protected areas hit by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004. Overnight stay in Nilaveli (B,D).

You will spend these days of rest on the beach or snorkelling. Visit to the beautiful Pigeon Island. Pigeon island National Park is one of Sri Lanka’s two marine national parks. The national park is located 1 km off the coast of Nilaveli, a coastal city in the eastern province. The name of the island derives from the rock pidgeon which colonized it The National Park contains some of the best remaining coral reefs in Sri Lanka. Pigeon island was designated as a sanctuary in 1963. In 2003, it was renamed as a national park. This national park is the seventeenth in Sri Lanka. The island was used as a shooting range during the colonial period. Pigeon island is one of several protected areas hit by the tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004. Overnight stay in Nilaveli (B,D).

After breakfast transfer to Anuradhapura. Visit the ancient capital of Sri Lanka from the IV century BC to the XI century AD., the city has a breathtaking beauty. You will see Jayasri Maha Bodhi (the sacred fig tree), the statue of Buddha Samadhi, the stone sculptures in the Isurumuniya temple, the Ruwanweli statue and many other attractions of this lively 2,500 years old city. Very interesting are the huge stone tanks used to collect and carry the water of the monsoons. This magnificent and old irrigation system, with tanks and canals, is the main attraction of Anuradhapura. Overnight stay in Anuradhapura (B, D).

Early departure to Kurenagala (about 2 hours trip). You’ll spend the day with Selyn Fair Trade, an organization of artisans that takes part to the Altromercato Experience project. You will discover this authentic and interesting Fair-Trade reality; a weaving centre, where expert hands “create” wonderful toys, not only with hand looms. The first stop of the visit will be at the printing department, where the production process of textiles starts with the yarn dyeing. Lunch at the centre. Then you’ll move to watch artisans’ women managing the manual weaving on the loom and, if you would, you could try this beautiful art. Then you’ll visit also Selyn’s kindergarten and the factory where, thanks to the Fair Trade, products are sold. Lastly, you willl visit Wanduragala’s shop, where you’ll find products and gifts to bring home. After the visit, transfer to Colombo and departure with an international flight.